Animal throw toy and method

ABSTRACT

A throw device and method of using the same is provided. Generally, the throw device is used to play fetch with an animal. The throw device has a throw object sized to fit within the mouth of the animal, and a handle coupled to the throw object with a cord. A cord retention device has a switch to release the cord coupled between the throw object and the handle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Application entitled, “Animal Throw Toy,” having Ser. No. 60/602,108 filed Aug. 17, 2004, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to animal toys, and more particularly, is related to an adjustable animal throw toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pet owners often play fetch with their pets. The game of fetch consists of tossing an object through the air for retrieval. Typically the object is a ball or some other object that will fit within the mouth of the pet. The pet runs after the tossed object and grabs the object with their mouth. Thereafter, the pet returns the object back to the owner. The owner can continue to play by tossing the object again through the air. The pet repeatedly runs after the object and returns the object to the owner. While playing fetch, the ball or object used to play fetch often becomes covered in saliva after a few tosses and returns. This can be unpleasing to many owners.

In addition, the object is thrown with the arm of the owner. This can cause the arm of the owner to become fatigued after repeated tosses. The object also tends to become saturated with pet saliva, which can be both uncomfortable for the owner and is not hygienic. In addition, the ball or object used to play fetch may be limited to the game of fetch. There is a need for a toy that can be used to play multiple games with a pet. In addition, there is a need for a toy that allows for easier throwing and while providing a handle separate from the portion seized by the mouth of the pet.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an animal throw toy and method of using the same. The throw device includes a throw object with a handle. A cord or rope connects the throw object to the handle. Inside either the throw object or the handle, the cord is connected to the handle via a retracting mechanism. A switch, accessible through either the throw object or the handle, releases or activates the cord retention device pulling the throw object to a resting position against the handle.

The user pulls the throw object away from the handle to the desired length, which may range from zero to about three feet. The user holds onto the handle and swings the throw object in a circular motion. The user releases the handle, allowing the centrifugal force of the swinging throw object to carry the throw object and the handle through the air. The animal retrieves the throw object connected to the handle and returns to the user. The user grasps the handle and instructs the animal to release the throw object. The user can then swing the throw object again, thereby preparing for another toss, or the user can press the switch on the handle and retract the throw object for storage or other play uses.

The throw device provides the user with a handle to grasp. The throw device also allows the user to adjust the length of the cord for varied degrees of tossing power. The user can increase the tossing power by increasing the length of the cord between the throw object and handle, thus providing a faster circular motion of the swinging throw object and a longer toss of the throw device. In one embodiment, the handle is a plush toy having the shape of a cartoon character. In the retracted, resting position the throw object rests against the handle and resembles the nose of the cartoon character. In another embodiment, the switch for activating or releasing the retention device is replaced by a retention device that is activated or released by a rapid pull of the cord or another device known in the art.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a first embodiment of the throw device in a retracted position.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the first embodiment of the throw device in an extended position.

FIG. 2 is the throw device of the first embodiment with a throwing object twirling around a handle.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the throw device of the first embodiment showing a cord retention device in a locked position.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the throw device of the first embodiment showing the cord retention device in an unlocked position.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of using the throw device.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a second embodiment of the throw device in a retracted position.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the second embodiment of the throw device in an extended position.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a third embodiment of the throw device in a retracted position.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the third embodiment of the throw device in a retracted position.

FIG. 6C is a side view of the third embodiment of the throw device in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a side view of a first embodiment of the throw device 100 in a retracted position. The throw device 100 has a throw object 102 coupled to a handle 104. The throw object 102 is coupled to the handle 104 with an adjustable length of cord 106. In accordance with the first embodiment, the handle 104 has a cord retention device (shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B) housed within the handle 104. The cord retention device 302A, 302B allows the user to adjust the length of the cord 106, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B. FIG. 1B is a side view of the first embodiment of the throw device 100 of the first embodiment, in an extended position. The length of the cord 106 between the handle 104 and the throw object 102 has been extended. The cord retention device 302A, 302B is described in more detail later herein.

The user utilizes the throw device 100 by extending the cord 106 between the throw object 102 and the handle 104. The user twirls the throw object 102 in a circular manner around the handle 104. FIG. 2 shows the throw device 100 of the first embodiment with the throw object twirling around a handle 200. The throw object 102 circles around the handle 104 when the user moves the hand grasping the handle 104 in a circular motion. Once the throw object 102 has reached the desired rotational speed, the user releases the grip on the handle 104. The centrifugal force of the throw object 102 carries the throw object 102 and handle 104 through the air and away from the user. A pet of the user can run after the throw device 100. The pet grabs the throw object 102 in its mouth. The pet returns the throw device 100 to the user. The user may grab the handle 104 of the throw device 100 and prepare for another toss.

The user can vary the distance that the throw device 100 travels by changing the rotational speed of the wrist of the hand grasping the handle 104 of the throw device 100. By increasing the speed of rotation of the wrist of the user, the user can increase the distance the throw device 100 will travel through the air. Similarly, by decreasing the speed of rotation the user can decrease the distance the throw device 100 will travel through the air.

In addition to changing the rotational speed imparted by the wrist of the user, the user can also increase the distance between the throw object 102 and the handle 104. The user can pull the throw object 102 further apart from the handle 104 and increase the length of the cord 106 coupling the throw object 102 and handle 104. The twirl motion imparted on the handle 104 causes the throw object 102 to rotate at a faster speed. The throw object 102 rotating at the faster speed will travel a farther distance when released by the user. Similarly, the user can decrease the distance between the throw object 102 and the handle 104, thus decreasing the speed of rotation and the distance traveled by the throw device 100 upon release. A swivel mechanism may be incorporated for connecting the cord 106 to the handle 104 such that the cord 106 does not become twisted by the rotation of the cord 106 in relation to the handle 104.

In the first embodiment, the throw object 102 is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 as a ball. However, the throw object 102 can be a variety of shapes and sizes, for example but not limited to, a bone shape, fish shape, or hot dog shape. The throw object 102 can be sized to fit within the mouth of the animal playing fetch. The exterior surface of the throw object 102 can be made of a soft material with a padded surface in order to prevent injury to the animal during fetching. The exterior surface can be made of, for example but not limited to, rubber, foam padding, or micro beads. The weight of the throw object 102 can be designed to produce sufficient momentum to carry both the throw object 102 and the handle 104 through the air to a desired distance range. The desired distance range may vary depending on the size and nature of the animal intended to retrieve the throw device 100.

The exterior surface of the handle 104 can also be made of a soft material, as described above, to prevent injury to the animal during fetching. The weight of the handle 104 can be designed to be less than the weight of the throw object 102. The weight can be light enough to allow the momentum of the throw object 102 to carry the handle 104 and the cord 106 through the air to a desired distance range. In the first embodiment, the handle 104 is shaped to provide easy grip of the user hand, however, the handle 104 can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. The handle 104 can be designed collectively with the throw object 102 to look like an article, as will be discussed later herein.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the throw device 100 of the first embodiment showing a cord retention device 302A in a locked position 300A. In accordance with the first embodiment, the cord retention device 302A has a spring-loaded spool 304A with a locking switch 306A. When the switch 306A is in a locked position, the cogs 308A on the spool 304A are prevented from winding or unwinding the cord 106. In the locked position 300A, as shown in FIG. 1B, the throw object 102 can be twirled and tossed through the air. The throw object 102 and handle 104 can also be used to play tug-of-war with the pet. When playing tug-of-war, the pet pulls on the throw object 102 while the user pulls on the handle 104. In a locked retract position, as shown in FIG. 1A, the throw device 100 can be used as a chew toy by the pet, or the throw device 100 can be compactly stored for later use.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the throw device 100 of the first embodiment showing the cord retention device 302B in an unlocked position 300B. The spring-loaded spool 304B is allowed to retract the cord 106 and wind it around the spool 304B. The switch 306B is moved forward into an unlocked position 300B, the cogs 308B on the spool 304B are allowed to rotate and wind or unwind the cord 106. In the unlocked position 300B, the cord 106 is retracted by the spool 304B to wind in the cord 106 and bring the throw object 102 closer to the handle 104. In the unlocked position 300B, the cord 106 can also be unwound from the spool 306B by exerting a force greater than that produced by the spring-loaded spool 304B.

The length of the cord 106 between the handle 104 and the throw object 102 is adjustable. The user may adjust the length of the cord 106 by pulling the throw object 102 and handle 104 apart from each other. The switch 306B may then be moved into the locked position (shown in FIG. 3A) to lock in the adjusted length of the cord 106, which may allow the cord 106 to be any of a plurality of lengths. The user can increase or decrease the length of the cord 106 between the throw object 102 and the handle 104, which, as an example may range from zero to about three feet depending on the desired tossing distance.

The cord retention device 302A, 302B described in accordance with the first embodiment, is just one example of construction of the throw device 100. A variety of other construction methods can be designed and are within the scope of the throw device 100. For example, the cord retention device 302A, 302B can be designed with an internal activated switch (not shown). The spring-loaded spool 304A, 304B can be activated or deactivated by rapidly jerking on the cord 106. The spring-loaded spool 304A, 304B can also be designed to activate when the throw device 100 hits the ground after being tossed. This example of construction allows the object 102 to be in an extended position during the toss and then to retract to the handle 104 prior to the animal fetching the throw device. This example of construction prevents the cord 106 and/or object from becoming entangled or stepped on while the animal is returning the throw device 100 to the user. In another example of construction, the cord retention device 302A, 302B can be housed within the throw object 102 instead of the handle 104. A variety of other cord retention devices 302A, 302B and construction methods can be used with the throw device 100 and are within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart 400 illustrating an exemplary method of using the throw device 100. The user moves the switch on the handle 104 of the throw device 100 into an unlocked position (block 402). The user extends a length of the cord 106 between a throw object 102 and a handle 104 (block 404). This step is accomplished by unwinding the desired length of the cord 106 from the spring-loaded spool 304A, 304B. The user moves the switch on the handle 104 into a locked position 300A (block 406). The throw object 102 is twirled about the handle 104 of the throw device 100 (block 408). When the throw object 102 reaches the desired rotational speed, the user releases the handle 104 of the throw device 100 (block 410). The centrifugal force of the rotating throw object 102 carries the throw device 100 through the air. The animal runs and fetches the throw device 100 (block 412). The user may then grasp the handle 104 of the throw device 100 and prepare for another toss (block 414). In between tosses, the user can adjust the length of the cord 106 by activating and deactivating the cord retention device 302A, 302B. The above method is an exemplary method. Other methods can be used with the throw device 100 depending on the game played with the animal and the cord retention device 302A, 302B incorporated within the throw device 100.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a second embodiment of the throw device 500 in a retracted position. In accordance with the second embodiment, the throw device 500 is shaped to resemble the head of a dog. The throw object 502 is a ball and is made to resemble the tip of the nose of the dog. The handle 504 is shaped like the rest of the head of the dog. Similar to the throw device 100 described in the first embodiment, the user grasps the dog head-shaped handle 504 and twirls the throw object 502 in a circular manner. The momentum of the throw object 502 carries the dog head-shaped handle 504 through the air. The animal grasps the throw object 502 within its mouth and returns the throw device 500 to the user. A switch (not shown) and a cord retention device (not shown) can be incorporated with the throw device 500 of the second embodiment as described in the first embodiment of the throw device 100. FIG. 5B is a side view of the second embodiment of the throw device 500 in an extended position.

FIG. 6A is a front view and FIG. 6B is a side view of a third embodiment of the throw device 600 in a retracted position. In accordance with the third embodiment, the throw device 600 is shaped to resemble the head of a rabbit. The throw object 602 is a ball and is made to resemble the tip of the nose of the rabbit. The handle 604 is shaped like the rest of the head of the rabbit. Similar to the throw device 100 described in the first embodiment, the user grasps the rabbit head-shaped handle 604 and twirls the throw object 602 in a circular manner. The momentum of the throw object 602 carries the rabbit head-shaped handle 604 through the air. The animal grasps the throw object 602 within its mouth and returns the throw device 600 to the user. A switch (not shown) and a cord retention device (not shown) can be incorporated with the throw device 600 of the third embodiment as described in the first embodiment of the throw device 100. FIG. 6C is a side view of the third embodiment of the throw device 600 in an extended position.

The throw device 600 is not limited to being shaped as described herein. The throw device 600 can be shaped to resemble any character or article. For example, the throw device 600 can be shaped to resemble a cartoon cat with the head being the throw object 602 and the handle 604 being shaped to resemble the body of the cat. The throw device 600 can also be designed to resemble a clown, mailman, or other character. All variations on the shape of the throw device 600 are within the scope of the present inventions.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims. 

1. A throw device, comprising a throw object; a cord attached to the throw object a handle coupled to the cord; and a cord retention device comprising a switch to release the cord coupled between the throw object and the handle.
 2. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the switch is capable of retaining the cord in a plurality of different lengths between the handle and the throw object.
 3. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the switch is capable of retaining the cord in multiple positions.
 4. The throw device of claim 1, further comprising a swiveling attachment mechanism connected between the handle and the cord.
 5. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the cord is of adjustable length.
 6. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the throw object weighs more than the handle.
 7. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the cord retention device further comprises a spring-loaded spool lockable in at least two positions with the switch.
 8. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the cord is retractable within the throw object.
 9. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the switch is spring-loaded whereby releasing the switch unlocks a spring-loaded spool.
 10. The throw device of claim 1, wherein the throw object and handle are formed to resemble a face.
 11. A method of playing fetch with an animal, comprising the steps of: extending a length of the cord between a throw object and a handle; twirling the throw object around the handle; releasing the handle; allowing the centrifugal force to carry the throw object and handle through the air; and retrieving the throw object and handle.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising recoiling the length of the cord with a spring-loaded spool.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising recoiling the length of the cord automatically after releasing the handle.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of extending the length of the cord further comprises: extending a partial length of the cord between the throw object and the handle, whereby the partial length of the cord is less than a full length of the cord; and locking the partial length of the cord in place with a switch.
 15. A system for playing fetch with a pet, the system comprising: means for extending a length of the cord between a throw object and a handle; means for generating centrifugal force on the throw object; and means for throwing the throw object utilizing the centrifugal force.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for extending a length of the cord further comprises means for extending a limited length of the cord.
 17. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for retracting the length of the cord.
 18. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for automatically initiating the means for retracting the length of the cord.
 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for locking the length of the cord, thereby inhibiting the means for extending and the means for retracting the length of the cord. 